When Kailua forward Tiffany Nakata tore her ACL in the 2007-08 season, her coach, Wil Kimura, thought she would make her return sometime around this season's playoffs.

So when Nakata, who was injured in December 2007 and had surgery in May 2008, returned last November, Kimura called it "amazing."

Nakata, a senior, scored a division-high seven goals and was named the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Division Player of the Year in a vote by the division's coaches.

Her honor was a pleasant surprise, considering Kimura wasn't expecting her back for the regular season.

"Her being that far along at that point of the season was a big surprise to us," Kimura said. "I was really proud of her because you don't hear of people coming back that quickly very often."

He credited her hard work and willingness to rehab for her timely recovery and said her timing was crucial, especially because Kailua lost its other starting forward for a short time. "So losing her would have meant we lost both of our starting forwards," Kimura said.

"She carried most of our scoring for the early half of the season."

Kimura called Nakata "really quick; she's one of the quickest players I've had. Her first three steps are super quick, and she has some good touches on the ball."

Joining Nakata on the first team are three fellow Surfriders — midfielder Tiffany Pereza, defender Cheyenne Kadooka and goalkeeper Lauren Merritt.

Pereza scored five goals and Kadooka six, and Merritt's defense allowed two goals in eight games.

Radford placed three on the first team: forward Madison Higley, who scored three goals, midfielder Kelsey Pacpaco and defender Samantha Canty.

Waipahu placed midfielder Keri Fujiwara and defender Juliana Powell on the first team.

Wai'anae was represented by forward Janee Lee, who scored a division-high nine goals, and defender Lindsey Ka'awaloa.

Nanakuli midfielder Chasytie Morgan, who scored three goals, rounds out the first team.

Kimura and Malu Afong, a former OIA East Player of the Year for Kailua, were named the co-Coaches of the Year after the Surfriders finished the regular season undefeated (8-0-0) and outscored opponents 35-2.

The Surfriders moved from the Red Division last year, in a beneficial switch for them.

"The competition is much more fierce, more physical in (the Red Division)," Kimura said. "Being that (the White Division) isn't quite as physical, helped a lot in terms of keeping our starters healthy."

Selected by coaches of respective leagues.